Muslims the Target of Most Racial Bias

TORONTO December 8th
– In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1304
Canadian adults, 4-in-10 express some level of bias, or unfavourable feelings,
against identifiable racial groups (41%), and the one group most like to be a
target is Muslims (28% unfavourable feelings, 54% favourable feelings). After
Muslims, the group most likely to suffer bias is First Nations people (16%
unfavourable feelings, 71% favourable). After First Nations people, come South
Asians (11% unfavourable), Asians (10% unfavourable), Jewish people (9%
unfavourable) and, finally, Blacks (8% unfavourable).

Muslims excite the
most animosity in Quebec (48% unfavourable) and among Conservatives (40%
unfavourable).

First Nations people
suffer bias mostly in the prairies (25% unfavourable) and Alberta (27%
unfavourable feelings), and among Conservatives (30% unfavourable).

South Asians are
most likely to suffer bias in Atlantic Canada (17%) and among Conservatives
(17%).

Jews are the victims
of unfavourable sentiments primarily in Quebec (21%).

Blacks are the
targets of bias more so in Atlantic Canada (12%) than elsewhere.

Overall, 4-in10
Canadian adults have unfavourable feelings about one of the groups mentioned
(41%), and this is most common in Quebec (57%) and among Conservatives (57%).

“It is clear from these findings that respondents in Quebec
are the most likely to hold unfavorable feelings towards Jewish and Muslim
people. It is also clear that out of the three main political parties, the
Conservatives, are the most likely to hold unfavorable feelings towards at
least one group,"said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff,
Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at
lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.